Manchester United are just minutes away from kicking off at Chelsea in the EFL Cup round of 16. The starting XI was just posted a few moments ago, and we have that embedded for you below.
The first team includes four changes, including the seldom seen Brandon Williams, and Fred, who United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said will take the place of Paul Pogba for the time being. It is thought that the Frenchman will be out of commission until December. It’s also a rare first team appearance (those rare starting assignments have been earned) for Jesse Lingard. Take a look at the line-up below, followed by the match FYIs.
Here's your #MUFC XI for tonight's #CarabaoCup clash…
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 30, 2019
Chelsea FC vs Manchester United FYIs
Kickoff: Wednesday Oct 30, 9 BST, Stamford Bridge
Team news for both sides: go to this link
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea Manchester United
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Referee: Paul Tierney
Prediction: Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1
NBC Sports does a weekly Premier League individual power rankings (it’s based on that previous week alone) two United players cracked the top 12. Here below is the highest dozen, but at this link you can see the full 20.
Marcus Rashford is #6 and Anthony Martial is #12
1. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) – New entry
2. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) – Up 18
3. Fabinho (Liverpool) – New entry
4. Ayoze Perez (Leicester City) – New entry
5. Raheem Sterling (Man City) – New entry
6. Marcus Rashford (Man United) – Down 3
7. Paulo Gazzaniga (Tottenham) – New entry
8. Daniel James (Man United) – Even
9. Ben Foster (Watford) – New entry
10. Tim Krul (Norwich) – New entry
11. Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – Down
12. Anthony Martial (Man United) – New entry
As you saw, a member of tonight’s opposition, who grew up a United supporter by the way, tops the list, on the strength of his hat trick on Saturday. Maybe the American has earned a consistent, regular place in the Blues first team now?
Speaking of Martial, his return has coincided with back to back wins, the end of the dreadful away match drought and it’s clear that he gives this team something in the final third that they badly need. There is plenty being written about the idea that he could be the man who turns the season around. Here’s a good piece on that concept via Forbes.
In keeping on the turning point theme, Rojo believes United found their confidence in the draw with Liverpool. Here’s more on that via the Manchester Evening News. Finally, former United manager Jose Mourinho reportedly wants the Arsenal FC job, should it open up.
Well, if it happens, to everyone involved- good luck with that.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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